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Google Play Store could soon offer updates for apps that users sideload on their Android devices. The first-party Android app store might also offer updates installed from third-party app stores.
Google Play Store to offer updates for sideloaded apps
Google is tweaking its Play Store to play nice with apps that users sideload from external sources or third-party app stores. Strings of code inside Play Store version 42.0.18 suggest that users may see a new “Update from Play” option.
A new option would reportedly pop up for apps installed from third-party sources. It would give users the choice to download and install updates for that app from the Play Store.
The modified Play Store listing for such apps would contain a notification that currently reads:
“The app installed on your device didn’t come from Google Play. You can update the app from the original source or Google Play.”
If you're on Android 14 and you install an app via Google Play and then later try to sideload an update to it from another source, you may see a dialog that warns you that by updating from a different source, "app functionality may change."
This is because Google Play is using… pic.twitter.com/uJ6tiFEjMM
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) February 8, 2024
The above warning means users could ignore the suggestion. Incidentally, Google Play may only allow uninstalling the app.
According to Android Authority, the Play Store will show available updates for apps downloaded from different sources. The new “Update from Play” button could switch the update ownership from the initial source to the Play Store. Choosing to update the app from Google Play could mean future updates would be sourced from the official Android app store.
Google is not banning sideloading apps
It is important to note that Google is not prohibiting sideloading. In other words, Android device users are free to obtain Android app installer files, known as APKs, from third-party sources. However, users must exercise caution as some of these APKs could be laden with malware.
Beginning from Android 14, Google Play Store can set update ownership for apps. Google claims this backend change ensures users don’t install the wrong version of an app from a different store.
The official app store can push a pop-up for apps obtained from third-party sources. It warns users that installing the update from a different source may change functionality. With the new change, Google could be asking Android device users to give Play Store ownership and update rights of sideloaded apps.